MANSFIELD — Richland County Children Services Executive Director Nikki Harless made it clear Thursday morning.
The public child welfare agency wants to help local families keep their own children in their own homes. Removing those children is always a last resort, she said.
“We work with a lot of families voluntarily, so we do a lot of prevention work,” Harless said. “If we do get a report, we go out and investigate to see if they need services to keep the kids safe.
“We have 150 families voluntarily working with us every day,” Harless said.
Harless and Brigitte Coles, the agency’s community engagement specialist, met with county commissioners to launch National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Harless went over 2021 agency statistics. RCCS caseworkers investigated 1,158 reports of child abuse — 398 neglect, 325 physical abuse, 146 sexual abuse, 62 allegations of emotional maltreatment, 62 dependencies and 62 instances of families in need.
“(FINS) are when families (themselves) call in that might need help in meeting basic needs like with electric or rent,” Harless said.
The total number of investigations during the year was down slightly from 2020, Harless said.
The agency also oversaw the successful adoption of 18 children in 2021 and took custody of 54 children through the court system.
“Today, we have 130 children in our care, in our custody, in foster homes and private foster homes and residential placements,” Harless said.
Kirsten Pscholka-Gartner, the chief magistrate in the county’s Domestic Relations Court, praised the work done by RCCS caseworkers.
“I just want to thank Children Services for all the work that they do with respect to child abuse prevention. Our court frequently makes referrals to Children Services out of protection orders,” Pscholka-Gartner said.
“I believe that they do a great job in investigating those cases and looking out for the best interests of the children in the community,” the magistrate said.
The event included a proclamation read in its entirety by Commissioner Cliff Mears.
“I am really glad to do this,” Mears said. “This is such an important initiative.”
Harless told commissioners the agency remains short staffed, requiring social workers and others to carry expanded caseloads. She said RCCS is budgeted for 50 caseworker positions and currently has eight openings, down from a high of 15 vacancies.
“If you know anyone who wants to work in child welfare, let me know,” she said.
Richland County Children Services has several events planned during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April:
— Child Abuse Prevention Month Kick Off, Richland County Courthouse, 50 Park Ave E, Commissioners Board Room, Thursday, March 31, 9:30 a.m. The Richland County Commissioners will present a Proclamation in observance of April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Proclamations will also be issued by the cities of Mansfield, Ontario, Shelby, and villages of Bellville, Butler, Lexington, Lucas, Plymouth, and Shiloh.
— Blue Ribbons/Blue Ribbon Trees for Prevention, April 1. Blue ribbons will be on display in downtown Mansfield for Child Abuse Prevention Month courtesy of RCCS, the city of Mansfield, the Mansfield United Lions Club and Tara’s Floral. The community can participate by displaying blue ribbons on a tree, door, fence, on your vehicle or mailbox. The blue ribbon is the international symbol for child abuse prevention. Participants can take pictures of their blue ribbons/blue ribbon trees and send them via email to Brigitte.Coles@jfs.ohio.gov for publication on the agency’s website and Facebook page.
— Fun Family Night at the Mansfield Carrousel, April 1, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Join Richland County Children Services for an evening of fun at the Mansfield Carrousel as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Enjoy free rides, blue ribbon cookies, treats and more courtesy of Richland County Children Services.
— Easter Drive-Thru Celebration, April 2, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Mansfield Parks & Recreation, RCCS and community partners will host an Easter Drive-Thru Celebration at South Park located at 100 Brinkerhoff Ave. Families are invited to come out and see the Easter Bunny. Each child in attendance will receive an Easter bag, small toys, and treats. Participants will be required to stay in their vehicles during their visit.
— Wear Blue Day Wednesday, April 13. Wear Blue Day is an annual statewide event to spread awareness on the important issues of child abuse, neglect and dependency. On this day local businesses, offices, schools, agencies, factories, retail outlets and media partners are asked to Wear Blue to show unity against child abuse and neglect. Participants can take pictures of themselves, their group, classmates or co-workers wearing blue and send them via email to Brigitte.Coles@jfs.ohio.gov for publication on the agency’s website and Facebook page.
— Free Blue-Ribbon Cookie -Wear Blue Day, April 13 at Buckeye Bakery. RCCS has teamed up with Buckeye Bakery for Wear Blue Day on Wednesday, April 13th, to give the first 150 customers wearing blue a free cookie in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
— Central Park Gazebo Goes Blue, April 1 – April 30.The Central Park Gazebo will be lit in blue lights in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities, go to www.richlandcountychildrenservices.org. Please call the Richland County Children Services 24-hour child abuse hotline at 419-774-4100 to report child abuse and neglect.
